A question for the Model M authorities ...

[el_murdoque]

I have a Model M coming my way and I tried to identify it, but the label on the bottom is torn off.

What remains of it suggests a serial starting with 138 which, to my limited knowledge, suggests a very early model.

This is contradicted by the top left blue IBM logo

which, to my knowledge, came later in the game.

Another noteworthy thing is that the PS/2 cable is fixed


All I know so far is that it is supposed to be a true buckling spring keyboard and not the rubber dome version.
It is an ISO-DE layout.

Are these few bits enough information to identify that particular board?

Thanks a lot in advance!

[yui]

to me if the top and bottom does not match it would mean a refurbished model. so what you will have inside may even be unicomp. although my knowledge of the numbers is limited, wikipedia has a pretty extensive list of all numbers, might want to check there, or wait for someone that knows more than me.

[el_murdoque]

Refurbished models are a thing?

As long as it is a working, legit buckling spring keyboard I'll have made a fair deal.

[chyros]

It's not a very early model; it is in fact a very late one. It'll have been made in the Lexmark era (presumably by IBM UK). Might just be a really late '1403, may even be a newer part number.

[el_murdoque]

It's not a very early model; it is in fact a very late one. It'll have been made in the Lexmark era (presumably by IBM UK). Might just be a really late '1403, may even be a newer part number.

Thank you.
...but it IS a legit model M, then ?

[yui]

it most likely is, as legit as unicomps, it does not have the sdl connectors of the early models and i think have a different controller board inside but it still is likely buckling springs. anyway if the seller told you it is bs there will be a very easy way to tell when you get it: press a key, if it pings, it is bs if it does not, it is rd (or broken) (bs = buckling springs)

[chyros]

It's not a very early model; it is in fact a very late one. It'll have been made in the Lexmark era (presumably by IBM UK). Might just be a really late '1403, may even be a newer part number.

Thank you.
...but it IS a legit model M, then ?

Well yes, of course! They never STOPPED being Ms .

[el_murdoque]

It's not a very early model; it is in fact a very late one. It'll have been made in the Lexmark era (presumably by IBM UK). Might just be a really late '1403, may even be a newer part number.

chyros, you know your Model M's.

Lexmark UK made 1994 is what the sticker on the inside claims.

It arrived quite dirty and I instantly set to take it apart and clean it, I had the case open and the keycaps in soapwater when I realized I had not performed a function check. 

[BrooklynTony198]

Looking at that picture, it seems all the plastic rivets are still mostly there. Thats a good thing, cause otherwise it'll need a bolt mod to work.

Don't worry about it being too dirty, Ms and Fs clean up really well, and they usually work even when they are SUPER dirty. A friend's M was super dirty, filled with cat hair and food, and only had recently died due to the loss of literally every plastic rivet.

[treeleaf64]

Looking at that picture, it seems all the plastic rivets are still mostly there. Thats a good thing, cause otherwise it'll need a bolt mod to work.

Don't worry about it being too dirty, Ms and Fs clean up really well, and they usually work even when they are SUPER dirty. A friend's M was super dirty, filled with cat hair and food, and only had recently died due to the loss of literally every plastic rivet.

Yes, very true. Even the dirtiest can be made useable.

[el_murdoque]

Cleaning up this one was a breeze compared to the last few I did.

I mean, this one is literally meant to be taken apart and reassembled again. No rubber feet hiding screw holes, no screws that need a special bit, no plastic bits snapping off ... plain and simple. Unscrew four screws, take off the top, look at the entrails.

Right now it sits in my office.

I use it to strike fear into the hearts and ears of my coworkers. Or rather annoy them.
Clicketyclick.

[Maledicted]

Cleaning up this one was a breeze compared to the last few I did.

I mean, this one is literally meant to be taken apart and reassembled again. No rubber feet hiding screw holes, no screws that need a special bit, no plastic bits snapping off ... plain and simple. Unscrew four screws, take off the top, look at the entrails.

Right now it sits in my office.
(Attachment Link)
I use it to strike fear into the hearts and ears of my coworkers. Or rather annoy them.
Clicketyclick.

Nice. That cleaned up great. I need to take a look inside my 1986 board soon. I couldn't immediately find any sockets that would fit in the deep holes to remove the bolts to open it offhand though.

[Snowdog993]

But then again....
You can always find a Lexmark Model M too.

[jacethesaltsculptor]

Cleaning up this one was a breeze compared to the last few I did.

I mean, this one is literally meant to be taken apart and reassembled again. No rubber feet hiding screw holes, no screws that need a special bit, no plastic bits snapping off ... plain and simple. Unscrew four screws, take off the top, look at the entrails.

Right now it sits in my office.
(Attachment Link)
I use it to strike fear into the hearts and ears of my coworkers. Or rather annoy them.
Clicketyclick.

I've been buying and cleaning M's alot in the past two months, I'm always in awe of how well designed they are. Even later ones, you can clean them, fix them, and most problems are very easy to get going again.

I've bought quite a few M's and F's now and I'm never not impressed or excited at getting a new one.